Dr. Selvestion Jimes

A visitation for Dr. Selvestion "Sonny" Jimes will held Monday, November 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Officiating the service will be Msgr. Rothell Price, Dr. Tom Harrison, and Dr. Larry Williams.
Selvestion passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023. He was born at the Tri-State Hospital in Shreveport, LA on July 21, 1937, to Mary Santoro Jimes and Raymond Jimes of Bossier City, LA. He was the oldest of their three children. Sonny grew up on Kelly Street in "old Bossier" where he had a wonderful childhood. Two aunts and uncles and cousins lived on either side of him. In 1955 he graduated from Bossier High School where he was on the track team. He received a scholarship to Northwest State University because of his athletics. In 2008, Sonny was inducted into the NSU Hall of Fame due to his outstanding four years on the track team.
At Northwestern he earned a B.S. in chemistry and a B.S. in Microbiology in 1959. He then attended graduate school and earned his M.S. in microbiology. Sonny was in the Army R.O.T.C. and commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. In 1960, he was a graduate of artillery and guided missile school, at U.S. Army Fort in Sill, OK. He became Captain for the U.S. Army Medical Corp. (Chief Medical Administrative Officer) in charge of all related personnel for Fort Polk Medical Facility. Sonny was honorably discharged in 1969.
While at Northwestern State University, he met a freshman girl, Patsy Ann Goldsby and they fell in love and were married in 1961. Selvestion and Patsy were true soulmates as their marriage lasted over 62 years. They took their marriage vows very seriously "in sickness and health" and "until death do we part." They were blessed with a precious daughter, Janet Adrienne in 1962.
For several years after graduation, he was employed by the Federal Food and Drug Administration in New Orleans, LA. After being offered a transfer, he declined and decided to return to school for his Ph.D. Selvestion entered LSU in Baton Rouge and received his Ph.D. in 1967.
Sonny, Patsy and Janet returned to Shreveport in 1967 because LSU-S was opening. He became an Assistant Professor, then Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and finally a Tenured Professor. He taught a total of 34 years at LSU-S and retired in 2001 as Professor Emeritus. Sonny touched many young lives and still saw physicians and nurses he had taught many years after retirement.
After their daughter married Robert Rives in 1996, he gained a son-in-love. The four of them traveled and took many vacations together after Sonny's retirement. Every Friday was "family day". The four ate lunch and played chicken foot dominoes afterwards. He was able to do this up until the week before he went to heaven.
Of all his decisions, the most important was that of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. He was a faithful member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church where he was active as an usher. Sonny was also a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd degree. A grounds and maintenance trust was set up by him for the upkeep of the church's grounds.
Sonny was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Joseph Jimes. He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Ann Jimes; daughter, Janet Adrienne Rives and husband Robert Parker Rives; sister, Mary Elizabeth Little; sister and brother-in-law, Lillie and Joe Sloan; sister-in-law, Jaunice Goldsby; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Sonny lived a long and wonderful life, and God was so good to him as He took him home where he is no longer suffering. Sonny will be missed by Patsy, Janet and Robert most of all, but one day we will be with him again.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Grounds and Maintenance Trust at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church or to the charity of your choice.